The Star – December 21, 2006: Disabled get mobility pledge

THE Government will come up with a long-term plan to provide disabled-friendly public transportation.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who held an hour’s meeting with representatives from seven organisations of the disabled community, said she would speak to the Transport Ministry and the main public bus concessionaire Rapid KL.

“I am not saying that there will be visible results next year, but we must have a plan,” she said.

“Disabled people must not be forgotten in the transport master plan that the ministry is drawing up now.”

Dr Ng said she had advised the representatives to write to the relevant ministries, including the Cooperatives and Entrepreneurial Development Ministry, which is in charge of commercial vehicles licensing.

She said from the meeting, she learned that the organisations had not been talking to the right people, especially policy makers.

“I understand their frustration but the Government is trying to help them, too,” she said.

Dr Ng said she was confident the Budget next year would include more provisions for the disabled.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar, who was present at the meeting, said he would forward the proposals and ideas from the representatives to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

“We will look into their plight and prepare a long-term solution for them,” he said.

Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan president V. Murugeswaran said the meeting, which was initiated by Dr Ng, was a fruitful discussion.

“We will meet among ourselves to discuss our next course of action but we are grateful that our perseverance has finally paid off,” he said.